A man who knocked over a can of paint as he stole food and alcohol from a shop still had paint on his shoes and clothes when police arrested him a short time later.

Ernest Smith, 46, from Southampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft when he appeared in court last week.

The court heard that Smith stole food and alcohol from a business on Queen Street on February 22 but knocked over a can of paint after taking the items and left a trail of shoe prints in the building.

Police found and arrested Smith, who still had paint on his shoes and sweatpants, a short time later.

The court also heard that on January 27, a teacher at Mount Saint Agnes Academy noticed that a laptop and DVD player were missing from her classroom and that the room’s microwave had been moved.

Video footage showed Smith breaking into the school and taking the items.

Smith admitted breaking into and stealing from two Hamilton businesses, taking car equipment and assaulting a man

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered that court staff conduct social inquiry and drug assessment reports for Smith, adjourned the case to April 14 for sentencing and remanded Smith into custody until that time.

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